Dallas Cowboys Blog

The Cowboys on Friday recognized 2008 Woodrow Wilson High School graduate Lizzie Cochran as the 2012 Dallas Cowboys Community Quarterback Award winner.

Cochran, now a student at Columbia, set up Miracle Players Foundation, a non-profit organization that brings musical theater programs to local children’s hospitals and raises funds for pediatric cancer research at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas.

“Our organization is proud to recognize the work of Lizzie Cochran,” said Charlotte Jones Anderson, executive vice president of the Cowboys. “It is through efforts like her’s with the Miracle Players Foundation, and the tireless work of so many others throughout our community, that we are able to touch the lives of others in a positive way.”

Gene and Jerry Jones Family Charities donated $10,000 to the Miracle Players Foundation in the name of Cochran.

“Theater is what I’ve done for my whole life and it’s such a way for everyone to express yourself and have a good time, and I wanted to bring that to the hospital,” Cochran said. “It’s been been a incredible opportunity, and by no means have I done it by myself. My wonderful parents and my whole family have been super, super supportive, and I’m so grateful for that, and for opportunities like this and the generosity of people. It’s not something that can be conquered by one person or even by one group of people, and I really believe that together we can find a cure.”

The runners-up for the award were Nya Watson of SafeHaven of Tarrant County and Andrew Gray, a volunteer with Arlington Life Shelter. Those two charities received $2,500.